I’m finally ready to have my grandmother’s ring re-cut. It’s a 2+
carat solitaire with two baguettes. The diamond has a low table with
a chip just below the girdle at a corner of a pavilion. I was told
that if undamaged, it would be worth a nice penny but because of the
chip, it’s considerably less.
I was also told that by getting it re-cut, I’d increase the value.
What I need to know is how much it should cost me to re-cut and how
do I find someone trustworthy to do it? I know there’s always a risk
in having this done but I’m wiling to take it if it doesn’t cost too
much. Having been unemployed for the past 5 years, not being able to
get a job, losing my house, disabled and too young for social
security, my savings has almost bottomed out and I could use the
money by selling the ring. Since I want to get the most for it, that
means re-cutting.
Any advice?
Michele, in sunny, warm South Florida where The Weather Channel is our
entertainment.
if you are disabled you aren’t too young to collect social
security disability insurance provided you have worked enough
quarters (i think its 23 or 24) to be eligible. the process is
daunting at least and its helpful from the beginning to get a lawyer-
it seems successful determinations are linked with the disability
lawyer game- having cancer and a couple of other illnesses make it
possible though to skip the hassle of the process most applicants go
through with 2 appeals then a successful determination, unless you
are working with a social worker in a hospital and have a terminal
illness which is then expedited. but back to stone recutting- there
are services in Thailand that do a great job - one factory is Swiss
owned and the turn around time is about three weeks for a simple
round brilliant cut. In the states, or where ever you may be, look
for local lapidary/rockhound clubs many are listed on the AFMS home
page and list by region clubs and sometimes the facilities they have.
these clubs are often filled with many lapidaries that have years of
experience cutting stones both as a hobby and for a little extra
money- there may be one in your area and I would go with experience
over a subcontractor gotten through a retail jewellery store any day.
they send it out to a person or company the worker at the counter
rarely knows personally so it’s luck of the draw with who gets your
piece and who actually does the cutting- with a gem and mineral
society club you can meet the person(usually) and see his or her work
firsthand, and explain what you want done, get a reasonable price and
sign some agreement as to the specifications you want, what they will
do for x amount of money and a promise date. If the stone is a high
quality diamond (VVS or VS, if not flawless) you should have little
to worry about as regards fracturing the stone or an inclusion
presenting any problem, but the person doing the cutting should
advise you on what he or she sees in the loupe or under the
microscope. If it were an emerald, or sapphire- really any precious
gemstone there may be flaws(particularly with emeralds) that you
would have to release the person from liability for if anything
should happen in recutting as some stones are filled, oiled, etc. to
hide or attempt to perfect stones that are not perfect but have
redeeming qualities nonetheless, and that warrant cutting or, rather
re-cutting. Even the most diligent lapidary cannot know all the
problems hidden by resin filling, dyeing or other treatments a stone
has been subjected to before it is fastened to the dop. so with all
that in mind, try to find a local person in your area of some
experience before surrendering a sentimentally valued stone to a
stranger at a retail vendor because you may think that your only
option. If you cannot find any local person to do the job, then write
again (feel free to contact me off list after Tuesday and I will find
the contact for the business in Thailand that I have used
before. One thing about using the Thai service, I have always sent
every chipped and flawed or large stone I want modified in one order
as it winds up being cheaper to do it that way. The average cost of
recutting any material that is hard (7 or more on the Moh’s scale)
has run around 12-20 US dollars per piece, though I have sent some
rough semi-precious material for first cutting and paid less than 6
dollars per piece for a shape and cut I specified, none of which were
round brilliants, but, if I recall, trillions, kite cuts, asscher and
radiant cut stones were the bulk of the specs. I did have some round
brilliant stones of assorted materials recut from large parcels of
assorted stones that were 'seconds" done years ago, at that time each
piece averaged about 3 dollars finished I would bet its a bit higher
now and only a few stones were diamonds. Sometimes stones don’t have
to be recut per se, but lapped to smooth out flaws or small chips -
the rate for repolishing is lower than fully cutting as different
equipment is used and its a far faster proposition than standard
meet-point cutting. let me know if you don’t find anyone local and
need that thai Oh, make sure you have a signed agreement
with whomever does the job, and if you send it off check on the
insurance the company has in case they damage or destroy your stone
and get something faxed to you (much like a proof you would sign when
approving a printing job but detailing what service(s) will be
provided in what time frame for what agreed upon price and what
contingency plan is available should the stone become damaged
further while in their stewardship and what their liability entails
as far as replacement, etc. if it is lost or damaged, once they have
signed for the safe delivery of your item(s) as described in the
agreement).rer
Thank you all for your responses but I’m still not sure what to do
with it.
I’m not sure I want to sent it to Thailand and would prefer to find
someone onlist. I trust you guys.
Roger, Isaac, can you please email me offlist and let me know how
much it would cost, where you’re located and any other info I may
need to make a decision. I would want to Diamond re-cut and possibly
reset into the ring.
I’m going to be getting the Diamond “officially” appraised this week
to find out exactly what I’ve got before sending it off to anyone.
